Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 2, Issue 1 (2026)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Jaswinder Kaur
Although the Convolvulaceae family is home to ornamental and agricultural species, ethnomedicinal knowledge accumulated in Uttar Pradesh, India largely goes undocumented. This study was conducted to systematically document the medicinal species of Convolvulaceae in Uttar Pradesh, documenting their botanical identity, vernacular names, habitats, and therapeutic applications. A widespread field survey took place in multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh between May 2015 and March 2021. Data were collected using field observations and interviews with local residents. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the Duthie Herbarium. The research recorded 28 medicinal plant species from 12 genera. The genus Ipomoea was the most abundant (13 species). Leaves and the whole plant were the most commonly used elements, mostly for making pastes, juices or decoctions to treat a broad range of more than 50 ailments. An initial conservation assessment showed that 32% of these species are of High conservation priority due to rarity and overharvesting. This study makes the first combined ethnobotanical knowledge on the Convolvulaceae family of the Uttar Pradesh state which is regarded as vital in local traditional medicine and highlights the importance of conservation, and ongoing pharmaceutic study.
Ethnobotany
Medicinal Plants
Convolvulaceae
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 2, Issue 1 (2026)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Anoop Kumar
Dr. Avneesh Kumar Gautam
As the world continues to see an unprecedented amount of growth, it will also begin to see incredible fluctuations in its climate. Given this combination of factors, we are now at a significant turning point where we need to make a massive shift towards more sustainable agriculture in order to provide food security for the long term. Sustainable agriculture is not just about how farmers grow food; it encompasses all aspects of growing food in a holistic manner that also includes protecting the environment from destruction while still being able to feed the growing world population today and help the next generation (future generations) with their ability to feed themselves. The projected global population will increase to approximately 9.6 billion by 2050, thus there is a need for food security alongside sustainable agricultural practices and ultimately, to provide solutions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (S.D.G.). Therefore, this article provides an overview of the latest developments and trends in sustainable agriculture and food security while also outlining the major challenges, opportunities, and policy choices that are needed to achieve sustainable agricultural systems and food security in the future. This article examines how utilizing various sustainable agriculture practices, such as agroecology, organic farming, conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, can help to improve food security and soil health, protect biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change. It discusses the importance of supporting small-scale farmers by improving their access to markets and modern technologies, promoting climate resilient agricultural practices, and reducing food loss and waste along the food supply chain.
Sustainable agriculture
food security
food waste
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Barkha
Arti Kumari
Sanjana Rani
The Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, located in the fertile terai region, is rich in freshwater sources which include the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, Deoha Reservoir, as well as the origin of the Gomati River. These water bodies are integral to irrigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, and biodiversity. The district's rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs offer conducive conditions for fish farming and preserving water resources. Nevertheless, the construction of dams and irrigation systems radically changes the natural hydrological patterns, water quality, and fish population dynamics.
This study attempts to assess the analysis of water quality parameters and determinants of water dynamics of fish populations found in selected sites including the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, along with some other water resources in Pilibhit. The physicochemical properties of water -- temperature, pH, DO, BOD, TDS, COD -- were evaluated to study its suitability for aquatic life. Seasonal distributions were observed, indicating that water quality depends on temperature and rainfall patterns and hence directly affected fish richness and distribution. Some commercially vital fishes namely, the fish species Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Channa punctatus and some other catfish species were observed with different density in the survey facilities. Maximum fish abundance was recorded at post-winter level and minimum was observed under monsoon seasons where turbidity was high and oxygen saturations were low. Sustainable water and dam hydrology, controlled dam discharge, controlled release of floodwaters and wetlands conservation are vital for preserving fish population dynamics and for ensuring a healthy condition of habitat in Pilibhit, the study concludes.
Sharda River
Pilibhit
Water quality
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Barkha
Sanjana Rani
Arti Kumari
The aquatic ecosystems of Chukka Beach (Sharda River) and the Sharda Sagar Dam within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), Uttar Pradesh, represent ecologically important freshwater habitats of the Terai landscape. The present study (2023–2025) investigates the diversity, abundance, and bioindicator role of aquatic insects in assessing the water quality of these two contrasting aquatic sites. A total of 18 aquatic insect species belonging to major orders such as Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Odonata, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Megaloptera were documented.
Standard sampling (sweep netting, kick sampling, hand picking) and physicochemical analyses were used to study the interaction between aquatic insect assemblages and water quality parameters. Diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener, Simpson’s Dominance, Margalef Richness) were calculated seasonally for both sites. Bioassessment indices including BMWP, ASPT, and Family Biotic Index (FBI) were applied to evaluate the ecological condition of the water bodies.
Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between insect diversity and key environmental variables such as pH, indicating that slightly alkaline conditions support healthier insect communities. In contrast, fluoride, arsenic, BOD, COD, TDS, Water temperature and copper (Cu) showed negative correlations with species richness and abundance .But in sensitive taxa like Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera showed higher representation at Chukka Beach, indicating relatively better water quality, whereas tolerant groups such as Chironomidae, Culicidae, Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, Tabanidae (Diptera) were more abundant near the Sharda Sagar Dam influenced by anthropogenic activities. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) further illustrated how environmental gradients shape the community structure., suggesting Higher TDS and copper levels also contributed to declining diversity, indicating overall degradation of water quality.
Correlation analysis showed that aquatic insect diversity positively correlated with pH because even slightly alkaline conditions favour healthy insect communities. On the other hand--Water temperature, pH, Nitrate, Total alkalinity, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Nitrate, TDS, BOD and COD identified correlations with the richness and abundance of species. Among them, arsenic, BOD and COD had the strongest negative effects, which implies that toxic chemicals and organic contamination reduce species richness of sensitive taxa. Higher TDS and copper content was also associated with diminished diversity and hence general deterioration of water quality. Altogether, the results provide supporting evidence for aquatic insects to be good bio-indicators of health in freshwater resource of Pilibhit area. The study is of significance as it offers an opportunity for baselines for conservation monitoring of the Sharda River system, and its conservation planning and sustainable management.
Aquatic insects
Bioindicators
Water quality
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Preeti Verma
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, hosting approximately 7–8% of all recorded species on just 2.4% of the world’s land area. With four global biodiversity hotspots (Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka and Sundaland), the country supports over 55,481 plant taxa and 105,244 animal species as of 2024 (Botanical Survey of India, 2025; Zoological Survey of India, 2025). Despite robust legal and policy frameworks, biodiversity faces severe threats from habitat fragmentation, deforestation (18,200 ha of primary humid forest lost in 2024), invasive alien species, pollution, overexploitation and climate change. This manuscript synthesizes the latest data from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Global Forest Watch, India State of Forest Report 2023 and IUCN Red List, while critically examining India’s biodiversity-related legislation: the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (as amended 2022), Biological Diversity Act 2002 (Rules 2004 & Amendment 2023), Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (amended 2023), Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 and recent regulations under the Jan Vishwas Act 2023 and Biological Diversity (Access and Benefit Sharing) Regulations 2025 (Government of India). The analysis reveals implementation gaps, judicial interventions and emerging opportunities under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Strengthening enforcement, community rights, landscape-level planning and climate-resilient corridors is essential for achieving national targets of protecting 30% of land and water by 2030.
Biodiversity
deforestation
invasive species
